Decision Maker: Cabinet, Full Council

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: Yes

Is Callable In?: No

Date of Decision: March 13, 2025

Purpose: New legislation is being brought in with effect from 1 April 2025 removing charitable rate relief from private schools in England who will no longer be eligible for this relief. As this change will impact private schools, they may seek support through other reliefs provided through business rates as the impacts may be costly and therefore a change to the Discretionary Rate Relief policy is being made to exclude private schools for obtaining relief by this means.

Content: Cabinet recommends that Full Council adopts Options 1 and 3 within this report, namely:   Align with State Schools: Exclude private schools from discretionary rate relief to match the new legislation effective from 1 April 2025 removing their mandatory relief, ensuring consistency with state schools and avoiding a cost to the Council in providing this funding.   That the Director of Finance and s.151 officer be delegated authority to make any minor future changes required to the Discretionary Rate Relief Policy.